Chris Ready has taught 16 rewarding years in lab schools, alt schools, outdoor education and makerspaces. Before working at Academy of Thought and Industry, Chris was a mentor to 5- to 12-year-olds at Integrity Academy at Case De Luz. Chris is the owner of Makesalot, where he teaches creative classes for makers of all ages as well as sell electronics in his online store. Chris has also been a frequent guest teacher at the Austin Tinkering School and helped put together parts Austin Maker Faire. In 2010, he completed his masters in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin where he studied child and adolescent development, romantic relationships, divorce, cohabitation and math acquisition. He then worked at the Austin Nature and Science Center in the Austin Parks and Recreation Department for 6 years as an environmental educator, as the Nature Camp coordinator, and most recently the Counselor-in-training coordinator for 16- to 18-year-olds. In 2011, He married his lovely wife Ann Marie and they frequently go on adventures. For fun, Chris gardens, builds 3d printers, builds his workshop, takes care of amphibians and explores the outdoors.